size tank

Aquarium Lover answers:

I would start with a 20 gallon tank since you have already some experience
You can buy complete kits at petsmart or petco, that come with the tank, the hood, the filter and the heater, and is also much cheaper, and the filter that come with the tanks are already pretty good as well

Don’t forget that you have to cycle your tank, here is a link

http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

you can put like 3-5 cory’s in your tank or plecos, here are some links with info on them

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=1#51

http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1923

Here is a site about plants

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?siteid=26&pCatId=768

and last but not least here is a site with different platy species

http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/livebearer_platies/platies_table.htm#top2

Hope all that info helps
Good luck

EB

Aquarium Lover answers:

Don’t listen to people who say you have to have a large tank. Large tank also equals thousands of dollars that you have to spend, especially if you want corals.
I seem to be one of the only people on this site who has experience working with a nano sized reef tank – 5.5 gallons.
The essential equipment is lighting, heating, and filtration. A skimmer isn’t usually used in nano tanks, but some people do use nano skimmers. I haven’t heard much about the Fluval Edge being used as a SW tank, but the most difficult part would be finding a lighting fixture that fits. I personally have a 20K PAR38 LED lamp over my tank and it works wonderfully, I can even keep SPS! These lamps just hang above your tank and can screw into a regular light socket.
For filatration, again, I have no idea about the Fluval edge. I use an Aquaclear 20 that has been modded into a filter/refugium.

To establish a tank, really all you need is the filter, live rock, and live sand.

Before you start, do a bunch of research! I use www.nano-reef.com for all my research. Everyone there is very experienced in keeping nano tanks and what to keep in them..corals, fish, etc.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your tank will need daily top-offs of RO/DI water and weekly water changes with already mixed, heated water (so you might want to have an extra heater on hand). If you have any small fish or inverts, they will also need at least daily feedings. Many corals also do well with the addition of live brine shrimp!

If you need any help with your nano tank, let me know!

Aquarium Lover answers:

If it’s missing it’s claw it doesn’t mean it’s female. Females will simply lack the big giant claw that marks males. Keep the tank clean and take care of it and the missing limb will return after a few molts.

It needs marine salt. They are brackish crabs. NOT freshwater. Generally a 3 to 1 ratio. 3 parts aquarium marine salt water, 1 part freshwater. You will need to invest in a hydrometer to measure salinity. The SG level should be something between 1.002 and no more than 1.018

They need access to air AND to water. And will appreciate sandy substrate to burrow in. Provide a sloped bottom from the land part to the submerged part. And provide rocks or something for them to climb on.

They can be fed in a bowl on not, sinking crab pellets, freeze dried shrimp or krill, or tablets are all good. Variety will always help make the crab healthier. Just like any tank, filter the water side and perform water changes and clean up after the crab.

They can be kept with others. Depending on the tank size, it’s fun to get a couple of males and a few females that they can squabble over.